Owls hit program best 12-Threes, but comeback bid falls short

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Kennesaw State women's basketball team closed a 26-point gap in the final minutes against Davidson, but a season high 12 three-pointers wasn't enough for the Owls as they fell, 63-54, in the final round of the Preseason WNIT at Morehead State.

The 12 threes are the most for any KSU team in a single game since joining the Division I ranks with Chelsea Mason (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue West HS), Ashley Holliday (Greenville, S.C./J.L. Mann Academy) and Bria Young (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill HS) each hitting three.

"We weren't expecting to see the zone from Davidson," said Kennesaw State head coach Nitra Perry "I have faith in our kids to knock down those threes when we get those open looks. We're trying to penetrate and kick a little more because we know we can't live and die off of the three, but we'll definitely take it when it's there."

Down 60-34 with just over five minutes to play, the KSU (0-4) offense sprang to life, ending the game on a 20-3 run to cut the lead down to single digits with five made threes from the Owls, two each from Young and Nicole Adams (New Port Richey, Fla./Gulf HS).

"The second half we're learning how to put it together," said Perry "But right now we're working on putting a whole game together. It's great having Holliday back and Mason continues to be consistent. We're starting to get everybody to gel and I'm definitely pleased with the last 10 minutes of the ballgame."

Davidson (1-2) extended a 31-19 lead to 20 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half before three straight points from Sametria Gideon (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones HS) at the 4:44 mark instilled life into the KSU offense. The Owls allowed just one field goal and one free throw to the Wildcats and didn't allow a Davidson point in the final 3:21 during the tremendous run.

Holliday ended the first half much like the second, with her first made three-pointer of the year and the fourth straight by the Owls to put the score at 31-19. Holliday's triple was one of five threes for the black and gold in the first half as Mason connected on two with Young and Shadelly Guzman (Miami, Fla./Monsignor E. Pace HS) each adding one in as well.

After the opening tip went to Davidson, the Owls overcame an 8-0 hole with a Young three-pointer starting off an Owl rally. Gideon and Mason each put in field goals to cut the lead down to one with 11:44 to go in the first before KSU went off for nine points on three straight three-pointers at the end of the period with Guzman hitting the first followed by back-to-back makes from Mason.

Mason's three cut the lead down to 11 before Holliday made a buzzer-beater to end the half.

For the third straight contest Mason hit double-digits in the points column, going off for a team high 13 with Gideon also in double-figures with her 10, giving the senior 968 career points. Gideon also made it two straight double-doubles with a game high 12 rebounds.

Guzman dished out a career high nine assists during the game along with her first career three-pointer while Adams made her first two threes of the season as well on four attempts.

The Owls will now make their long awaited home debut this Wednesday, Nov. 21, as they welcome in Troy for a 2 p.m. meeting in the KSU Convocation Center.

"Troy will pressure the ball a lot like we saw against Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee," said Perry of Wednesday's opponent. "They can put up points so the name of the game for us will have to be defense."

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